The invention relates to a training device for a mortar according to the generic part of claim 1 and to a training grenade for use with such a training device for a mortar according to the generic part of claim 24.
Known simulators for a training the operation of military weapons frequently have the disadvantage that the simulation does not correspond to reality in decisive actions. In particular in the case of training devices for a mortar where the training grenade is not fired and must frequently be removed by hand through a removal opening from the firing tube, this can cause false manipulations in the operating of actual mortars.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,573 Patel
A training device for a mortar with the dimensions of a mortar is known from the document U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,753 PATEL, with which training grenades are used which comprise first electronic means which make possible a data transfer of the grenade data selected for a training grenade to a computer. Second electronic means is arranged in the base plate of the training device for a mortar which make possible a detection and transmission of the firing tube alignment to the computer. Moreover, third electronic means is arranged on the base plate which can be brought in engagement with the first electronic means for data transfer.
The selectable grenade data contains the munition type, the ignition setting, the number of charges and the ignition type. In order to determine the number of charges the training grenades have one or more sensors which make possible a determination of the number of charges positioned on the training grenade at the loading positioning means provided to this end.
The data transfer from the first electronic means attached to the training grenade to the third electronic means in the base plate takes place via electrical contacts arranged on the back end of the training grenade and which establish an electrical contact with the contact plate arranged on the back end of the firing tube when the training grenade falling down in the firing tube reaches the back end of the firing tube.
This known training device for a mortar has the disadvantage that the training grenade must be removed by hand from the firing tube.
EP 0 952 422 Lazecki
The document EP 0 952 422 LAZECKI relates to a training device for a mortar with an evaluation unit which determines the geographical position of the training device for a mortar, the alignment of the firing tube and grenade data and transmits them to a computer wirelessly from a transmission unit attached on the training device for a mortar.
A firing control is attached to the training grenades which recognizes the ignition type (striking-, delay-or timed ignition, etc.), the munition type and the number of additional charges. This grenade data is protected by the firing control built into the training grenade and comprising a microcontroller and transmitted by an optical transmitter arranged on the back end of the training grenade to an optical receiver arranged on the bottom of the firing tube.
This known training device for a mortar can comprise more sensors, e.g., a brightness sensor which recognizes a “shot” over the darkness in the firing tube in conjunction with the inclination sensor, or an acceleration sensor which recognizes the “shot” by the impact of the training grenade on the bottom of the firing tube. Furthermore, sensors, e.g. switches, optical, inductive or capacitive sensors built into the training grenade can be used alone or in combination in order to detect whether a training grenade is present in the firing tube.
The firing tube comprises a discharge opening and guide sheets arranged in the area of this discharge opening in the firing tube which sheets conduct the training grenade out of the tube even when the firing tube is aligned almost vertically. This results in the disadvantage that the training grenade falls out of the discharge opening onto the ground so that the operating team is significantly disturbed by the training grenades falling out, in particular in the case of a rapid firing frequency and in particular must perform false training actions due to the removal of the training grenades falling out.
WO 2013/025103 Noorlander et al.
The document WO 2013/025103 shows a training device for a mortar which comprises a device for removing a training grenade that fell out through the firing tube, wherein the removed training grenade is collected in a rotatable collection container arranged under the base plate. The device for removing the training grenade is constructed as a closable opening on the rear end of the firing tube which is in alignment with a perforation in the base plate so that a training grenade can fall through the closable opening at the rear end of the firing tube and through the perforation in the base plate into the collection container. This known training device for a mortar has the disadvantage of the voluminous collection container for the “used” training grenades that is arranged under the baseplate. The collection chamber must be arranged in a dug out hollow space, wherein a support device carrying the training device for the mortar must be arranged in the hollow space underneath the base plate.
The invention has the purpose of creating help here. The invention is based on the problem of making available a training device for a mortar which can be readily transported and used even in terrain without special construction measures.
The invention solves the problem posed with a training device for a mortar that has the features of claim 1 and with a training grenade for use with such a training device for a mortar which has the features of claim 24.
The advantages achieved by the invention can be seen substantially in the fact that by virtue of the training device for a mortar:
Other advantageous embodiments of the invention can be commented on as follows: In a special embodiment the removal opening penetrates the tube wall in the area of the rear end of the firing tube. This can achieve the advantage that the training grenade can be transported away laterally from the firing tube and therefore can be reused by the operating team for further “shots” without complicated manipulation.
In another embodiment the transport device comprises several cams for an engagement into a training grenade so that several training grenades can be successively removed through the removal opening out of the firing tube by the transport device. This embodiment has the advantage that the practicing of several successive shots becomes possible with a high shot frequency.
In another embodiment the firing tube has a longitudinal tube axis and the cams for receiving a training grenade falling down through the firing tube can be positioned coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The cams are preferably constructed for an engagement into a training grenade that is coaxial to or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
In yet another embodiment the removal opening is constructed as a cutout of the tube wall which extends from the rear end of the firing tube parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. This can bring it about that the transport device can be arranged outside of the rear end of the firing tube so that the training grenades can be transported away out of the firing tube in a translative manner transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
In another embodiment the transport device is constructed as a carousel, wherein the cams are preferably arranged in a circle with the same intervals to each other. As a result of the construction of the transport device as a carousel the base surface of the transport device can be kept small. The intervals between the cams are preferably dimensioned for receiving one training grenade on each cam.
In another embodiment the carousel comprises an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal tube axis of the firing tube.
In another embodiment the transport device comprises a rotary plate that overlaps the firing tube on the rear end and has an axis of rotation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The axis of rotation of the rotary plate preferably has a distance to the longitudinal axis of the tube that corresponds to the radius of the circle on which the cams are arranged.
In yet another embodiment the transport device has at least five cams, preferably between five and eight cams.
In another embodiment the cams are constructed as pins which extend coaxially or parallel to the longitudinal tube axis of the firing tube and are constructed for being received in an open hollow space on a lower end of a training grenade. This can achieve the advantage that the training grenades are held by the cams and cannot fall down from the transport device when it executes rapid movements for removing the training grenades.
In another embodiment the firing tube comprises a second tube wall cutout for a passage of the cams which is opposite the removal opening, wherein the second tube wall cutout extends from the rear end of the firing tube parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tube.
In yet another embodiment the pins comprise spring caps which deflect upon the striking of a training grenade onto the transport device and establish an electrical contact. This embodiment makes the advantage possible that after the establishing of the electrical contact the transport device (carousel) executes a transport step so that the next cam is positioned in the firing tube.
In another embodiment the training device for a mortar comprises at least a first and a second sensor, wherein the first sensor detects the dropping down of a training grenade in the firing tube and the second sensor detects grenade data of training grenades. The first sensor is preferably arranged on the outside of the firing tube and the tube wall comprises a hole in the area of the first sensor. The first sensor can be constructed as an optical sensor or as an inductive or capacitive sensor.
In another embodiment the second sensor is arranged on the outside of the firing tube and constructed as a receiver for a wireless data reception, preferably for a Bluetooth connection.
In another embodiment the grenade data from training grenades specifies additional charge, munition type and/or ignition type and ignition setting.
In yet another embodiment the training device for a mortar additionally comprises a warning device that emits a warning signal, preferably an optical warning signal when all cams of the transport device are occupied by a training grenade.
In another embodiment the training device for a mortar additionally comprises a communication box to which data is transmitted concerning the alignment of the firing tube and the data detected by the first and second sensors and which makes possible a further transmitting of the data to a computer.
In another embodiment the communication box is arranged on the rear end of the firing tube and preferably adjacent to the transport device.
In another embodiment the training device for a mortar comprises at least a first and a second sensor, wherein the first sensor detects the dropping down of a training grenade in the firing tube and the second sensor detects grenade data of training grenades, and wherein the first and the second sensors are arranged on the outside of the tube wall of the firing tube.
A special embodiment of a training grenade in accordance with the invention for the training device for a mortar in accordance with the invention comprises: a) one or more batteries or accumulators; b) a microcontroller with a data storage for storing the type of training grenade (munition type); c) a first sensor for determining the ignition type and ignition setting; d) at least one second sensor for determining the number of additional charges; e) a transmitter for a wireless transmission of data, and f) an on/off switch for turning at least the transmitter on and off. This embodiment of a training grenade makes the advantage possible that the training grenades (munition) to be used during a training can be turned on at the beginning of the training (scenario) and the user can use whichever of the training grenades he wants to. The turning on the electronic system by an inclination sensor, which is known from the prior art, can result in the case of a flat firing to a “non”-release of the electronic system of the training grenade (munition). The on/off switch can ensure that the data of the training grenades is detected by the computer.
In another embodiment of the training grenade the data determined by the first and second sensors is transmitted to the microcontroller and all data registered in the microcontroller is transmitted from the microcontroller via the transmitter to the computer.
In another embodiment of the training grenade the training grenade comprises a microeletromechanical system (MEMs tracker), preferably a 3D acceleration measuring device connected to the transmitter. This can achieve the advantage that the MEMs tracker “motion detector” can determine whether and how the training grenade is moved so that the manipulations of the training grenades, in particular their movement paths can be recorded by the computer. This can be graphically illustrated in the training system for a mortar.
In another embodiment of the training grenade the wireless data transmission is preferably a Bluetooth connection.
In another embodiment of the training grenade the training grenade comprises a lamp which emits light when the on/off switch is activated. This embodiment offers the advantages that the battery state of the training grenade (munition) can be continuously displayed by the lamp, as well as the fact that the battery of the training grenade (munition) must be charged. Furthermore, the light signal on the training grenade (munition) additionally ensures for the operator that the training grenade (munition) has built up the communication to the master module and to the training system for mortars (e.g., blue, permanently illuminating light). For example, permanent blue light means that the training grenade (munition) “is sharp”. If the communication should be defective and therefore not established, the light on the training grenade (munition) blinks.
The invention and further developments of the invention are shown in more detail in the following using the partially schematic representations of an exemplary embodiment.
In the drawings:
The embodiment of the training device for a mortar 1 of the invention shown in the
The training device for a mortar 1 additionally comprises a communication box 20 to which data is transmitted concerning the alignment of the firing tube 2 and data detected by the sensors 16, 17, 28 attached to the firing tube 2 is transmitted and which makes possible a further transmitting of this data to a computer 26 (
The removal opening 6 penetrates the tube wall 5 in the area of the rear end 4 of the firing tube 2 so that a training grenade 7 can be transported away laterally out of the firing tube 2, i.e., translatively obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the tube out of the firing tube 2. As is particularly evident in
The transport device 11 is constructed as a carousel with a rotary plate 27 (
The cams 12 are constructed as pins 13 arranged vertically on the rotary plate 27 and are therefore arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary plate 27. The rotary plate 27 is driven by a stepping motor, for example intermittently by an electromotor, wherein a pin 13 is always arranged coaxially to the longitudinal tube axis of the firing tube 2 so that a training grenade 7 falling down through the firing tube 2 comes into engagement with its hollow space open on its lower end with this pin 13. The training grenade 7 is therefore held by this pin 13 and cannot fall down from the transport device 11, e.g. when the rotary plate 27 executes rapid movements for the removal of the training grenades 7 from the firing tube 2. The other pins 13 are arranged parallel to the longitudinal tube axis on the rotary plate 27, wherein the intervals of the pins 13 are dimensioned in such a manner that a training grenade 7 can be positioned on each pin 13. Upon each rotary movement of the rotary plate 27 brought about by the stepping motor the next pin 13 is positioned coaxially to the longitudinal tube axis of the firing tube 2 until all pins 13 of the transport device 11 are occupied by a training grenade 7.
In order to guide the pins 13 not occupied by a training grenade 7 through the firing tube 2, the latter comprises a second tube wall cutout 15 (
As the
In addition, the training device for a mortar 1 shown in the
The training grenades 7 used in a training have a permanent contact with the training system for a mortar via the master module 29 (main computer) (
The aiming and alignment device 10 (
This data detected by sensors 16, 17, 28 on the firing tube 2 of the training device for a mortar 1, the data determined by the aiming and alignment device 10 and the data transmitted from the training grenade 7 is transmitted to the communication box 20 on the training device for a mortar 1 and forwarded from there via an interface box 38 to the master module 29, a second computer 37 for the team operating the mortar and to the computer 26 of the exchange (instructor). In addition, a joystick 40 of the forward observer is connected to the computer 26 of the exchange which makes it possible for the forward observer to aim at a target so that the that the values for elevation and azimuth to be adjusted on the aiming and alignment device 10 can be forwarded to the team operating the mortar.
The data transmission from the communication box 20 to the interface box 38 and from the interface box 38 to the master module 29, the computer 26 of the exchange and the second computer 37 for the team operating the mortar takes place via cable connections. In addition, a VGA connection 39 (Video Graphics Array) is installed between the communication box 20 and the second computer 37 for the team operating the mortar which makes possible a translation of an image between graphic cards and display devices.
Although, as described above, different embodiments of the present invention are present, they are to be understood in such a manner that the various features can be used individually as well as in any desired combination.
Therefore, this invention is not limited simply to the above cited, especially preferred embodiments.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202015001085.7 | Feb 2015 | DE | national |